Does Builders Risk Cover Materials?

Often, when the materials are intended to become part of the insured building and fall within the policy’s property and location terms.

NAIC describes builders risk as including materials incidental to construction. Oregon’s guidance similarly refers to building supplies intended to become part of the structure, while calling out separate installation-floater protection for some transit and storage exposures. “Materials” does not necessarily include contractor tools, surplus inventory, or supplies owned by another party. Check the covered-property definition, ownership or insurable interest, project value basis, and any exclusions for property not yet incorporated into the building. Ask about storage and transit separately. The contract may require the owner or contractor to insure materials at different stages of ownership, so reconcile purchase orders, delivery terms, and the policy’s named insureds. A materials supplier’s transit coverage or a contractor’s installation floater could be relevant before incorporation, but ask who actually bears the loss. Check whether taxes, freight, and change orders are included in the declared project value.

Sources

  1. Glossary of Insurance Terms. National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Builders’ Risk Policies; Business Interruption; Commercial General Liability; Contractor Equipment Floaters; Allied Lines. Accessed 2026-09-25.
  2. Builders Risk Coverage Form. Insurance Services Office, Inc.; hosted by Touchpoint Markets; IH 00 70 05 17, A.1.c and A.2 pp. 1–2; A.3 and A.4 pp. 2–5; A.5 and A.6 pp. 5–8; B.2–3 pp. 10–11; C–E pp. 12–13; copyright 2017, illustrative specimen. Accessed 2026-09-25.
  3. Insurance Clauses – Builders Risk. Oregon Department of Administrative Services; Builders Risk: Clause, When do they apply?, Notes, Additional Information; Builders Risk Installation Floater. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Updated . Answers describe typical policies, not your coverage; your policy wording decides what is covered. See the editorial policy or contact Spot with a correction and supporting source.

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